Dallas Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can be life-altering events, and finding the right Dallas car accident lawyer is critical to getting your life back on track. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the factors to consider when choosing a lawyer, how they can help navigate insurance claims, the legal process, types of damages recoverable, and common causes of car accidents in Dallas. We also discuss how to protect your rights after an accident so you can maintain a strong legal position.

There are many car accident law firms in Dallas, but there’s only one firm that’s home to “The Texas Hammer”. Call us 24/7 at 1-800-505-1414 or send us a message to get started.

Key Takeaways

• When selecting a Dallas car accident lawyer, consider factors such as their expertise in car accident cases, track record of success, and client testimonials/reviews.
• Engage professional help to protect your legal rights and maximize your chances of securing compensation if you’ve been injured in an accident.
• Collect evidence at the scene, seek medical treatment promptly, and avoid admissions of fault for the best outcome.

An experienced and knowledgeable lawyer can significantly affect the outcome of your car accident case. The best car accident lawyers in Dallas:

• Are well-versed in personal injury law
• Have years of experience dealing with motor vehicle accident cases
• Understand how to negotiate with insurance companies

Consider factors such as the lawyer’s years of practice in car accident cases, their track record of success, and client testimonials and reviews. The details surrounding a car accident can also have a major impact on your legal rights and the compensation you receive. Consult with Jim Adler’s accident lawyers in Dallas who can provide tailored assistance and legal counsel throughout the claim process.

Knowledge About Car Accident Cases
The outcome of your claim is strongly influenced by a lawyer’s background in car accident cases. Lawyers who work in personal injury law and have experience with different types of car accidents are in the best position to navigate the complex legal landscape and secure the compensation you deserve. Our car accident lawyers in Dallas have extensive experience in handling auto accident claims involving:

• Broken bones
• Concussions
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries
• Intersection accidents
• Work zone accidents
• Speeding accidents
• Vehicle defects
• Distracted driving
• Drunk and drugged driving

Prioritize a lawyer’s background in car accident lawsuits when searching for the best representation in Dallas. Lawyers like ours who have tried car accident cases before a jury are deeply familiar with Texas injury law and more likely to achieve a favorable result.

Track Record of Success
When choosing a car accident lawyer in Dallas, their track record is another significant consideration. Experience itself is not always enough. It’s the quality of experience, measured by wins for clients, that matters most. A lawyer’s history of successful car accident settlements and verdicts should inspire confidence that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively represent you, especially when their results have gained recognition from legal associations and organizations.

Always inquire about a lawyer’s past performance in car accident cases and ask for examples of results they have achieved for clients. This information can help you make an informed decision when selecting a car accident lawyer for your case.

Since 1973, Jim Adler & Associates has represented thousands of car accident victims and recovered more than $1 billion for our clients. We have been championing “the little guy” for over 50 years, hammering big insurance corporations that seek to deny accident victims their legal rights.

Our top-rated car accident attorneys serving the Dallas TX area are members of the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, Texas Bar Foundation, Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, Dallas Bar Association, American Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and American Trial Lawyers Association.

Client Testimonials and Reviews
Reading client testimonials and reviews can help you assess a lawyer’s professionalism, communication, and overall client satisfaction. Take the time to research online reviews and ask for references from past clients. Positive remarks from clients can provide insight into a lawyer’s dedication, expertise, and ability to competently handle car accident cases. Client testimonials and reviews can also provide valuable information about a lawyer’s approach, communication style, and legal acumen. These factors can help you choose a car accident lawyer in Dallas Texas.

Past clients of Jim Adler & Associates have praised us for being there for them at a difficult time, keeping them informed throughout the process, and making them whole again after a car wreck. You only get one shot at choosing an experienced personal injury lawyer and receiving full compensation. Make it count. Make it The Texas Hammer.

Dealing with insurance claims can be challenging in the best of times—never mind when you’re recovering from serious injuries sustained in a car accident. Insurance companies employ attorneys on their staff specifically to dispute motor vehicle accidents. Their goal is to limit or eliminate their financial responsibility by delaying, denying, and underpaying claims. Having a personal injury law firm that protects your interests throughout the process is crucial to maintaining a legal advantage.

A skilled Texas car accident lawyer in Dallas can help you with:

• Navigating the complexities of insurance claims
• Communicating with insurance adjusters
• Building a strong case
• Negotiating effectively with insurance companies
• Receiving maximum compensation for your injuries and property damage
• Connecting you with support resources for your recovery journey

Communicating with Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters are professionals employed by insurance companies to investigate and evaluate claims. They might make it sound as though they have your best interests in mind, but they are working for the insurance company and doing what’s best for their employer. A car accident lawyer can effectively handle communication with insurance adjusters on your behalf, standing up for your interests and making sure you receive fair and full compensation.

It’s important to remember that, no matter what promises they make, insurance adjusters are not on your side. Their goal is to minimize the amount their company pays out and maximize profits. By entrusting a skilled personal injury attorney with insurance adjuster communications, you can concentrate on your recovery, confident that your legal rights are being upheld and your claim will be paid in full.

Maximizing Compensation
The primary goal of a car accident lawyer is to help you maximize the compensation you receive for your injuries and other losses. This involves negotiating with insurance companies and presenting your side of the case strongly and persuasively. The Dallas car accident attorneys at Jim Adler & Associates have decades of experience dealing with insurance companies and ensuring car accident victims obtain top dollar.

By leveraging our expertise, our car accident lawyers can help you receive money to pay for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage caused by the car wreck
• Other losses resulting from the accident, such as pain and suffering

Insurance companies may try to convince you to accept a settlement early in the claims process, before you understand the true extent of your injuries and the full value of your losses. With The Texas Hammer your side, you can rest easy knowing your best interests are being represented during negotiations. While you may not be able to trust the insurance company, you can trust our Dallas TX law firm to fight for what’s yours.

Understanding the legal process and timeline for car accident cases in Dallas is key to efficient and effective claim handling. This includes being aware of the statute of limitations, what to expect during the pre-litigation phase, and what happens if your case goes to trial. By familiarizing yourself with these case aspects, you can better prepare for what’s ahead and be sure your claim is resolved favorably.

A knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Dallas can:

• Guide you through each step of the legal process
• Help you understand the claims timeline and what to expect
• Provide invaluable insight and advice on navigating car accident claims

Statute of Limitations
You have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. The statute of limitations for car accident cases in Texas is two years from the date of the accident. Failing to file a lawsuit within this timeframe can lead to the loss of your right to seek compensation. It is crucial to be aware of the statute of limitations and to act promptly to ensure that your claim is filed in a timely manner.

There are limited instances when the statute of limitations can be extended beyond two years. If the statute of limitations for your car accident case is unclear, a Dallas car accident lawyer can advise you on the deadline and assist in taking the necessary steps to preserve your legal rights. The sooner you seek legal counsel, the higher the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Pre-Litigation Phase
The pre-litigation phase of a car accident case in Dallas involves collecting evidence, engaging in negotiations with insurance companies, and filing a lawsuit if required. This phase is crucial for building a strong case and adequately preparing you for potential litigation. Collecting evidence at the scene of the accident, such as photographs and witness statements, can help establish the facts of the case and support your claim for compensation.

During the pre-litigation phase, your car accident lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company for you. The goal at this time is to reach a fair settlement for your losses. If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer may file a lawsuit that moves the claim to court. The best car accident lawyers don’t only look to settle. They prepare a case anticipating a lawsuit and are ready to go to trial. Choosing a personal injury trial law firm can give you the upper hand. It sends a message to the insurance company that lowball settlements and other insurance company tricks will be swiftly met with a lawsuit.

Litigation and Trial
If your car accident case proceeds to litigation and trial, your lawyer’s experience in the courtroom becomes a decisive factor. During the trial, both parties will present their case to a judge or jury, who will then decide on the appropriate compensation for the injured party. The verdict may not be the final decision, because the losing party can appeal, possibly leading to a new trial with a different jury.

A skilled car accident lawyer who handles claims in and out of the courts can:

• Present a compelling case on your behalf
• Persuade the judge or jury of the merits of your claim
• Use experts to calculate the appropriate amount of compensation

Several types of damages may be recovered in Dallas car accident claims. These damages can be categorized into three main types: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Each type of damage serves a specific purpose in compensating personal injury victims. The Adler Law Firm in Dallas will make sure that all applicable damages are considered, calculated, and accounted for, optimizing the compensation you receive.

Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial losses you’ve incurred from the car accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. These damages are typically easier to calculate, as they are based on actual costs and expenses you’ve incurred or will incur in the future. For example, your medical bills and lost wages can be quantified by reviewing your medical records, pay stubs, and other documentation related to your injuries and inability to work.

When pursuing a car accident claim, it is crucial to arrive at an accurate calculation of all your potential economic damages. A car accident lawyer can help you gather the necessary documentation and evidence to substantiate your economic damages to the insurance company.

Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate car accident victims for their less tangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages can be more difficult to calculate because they are based on the subjective experiences of the injured party and the impact of the accident on their life. However, they are no less important than economic damages to the overall claim value. In some cases, non-economic car wreck damages can surpass economic damages.

Maintaining an account of how the accident has impacted your life and documenting your pain and suffering—in a journal, for example—is crucial to proving your non-economic damages. Often, non-economic damages are assigned in proportion to economic damages. That is, the worse a person’s physical injuries, the higher their non-economic damages like physical pain and emotional anguish tend to be. A few different methods can be used to determine non-economic damages. Each typically requires the input of experts working in tandem with a client’s car accident attorneys.

Punitive Damages
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to the plaintiff as a form of punishment for the defendant’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct. These damages are not necessarily intended to compensate the injured party for their losses but rather to deter the defendant and others from engaging in similar bad behavior in the future. Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where a jury determines that the at-fault party’s actions were particularly egregious or malicious.

If punitive damages are awarded, they can significantly increase total car accident compensation, but Texas law limits the amount of punitive damages awarded in personal injury cases. Examples of cases that could result in punitive damages include drunk or drugged driving, aggressive driving, and reckless driving such as driving the wrong way or extreme speeding.

Car accidents in Dallas occur for many reasons, but they all have something common: human error, or negligence. Common types of negligence include distracted driving, drunk driving, and speeding and reckless driving.

Distracted Driving
Driving requires keeping focus on the road at all times. Distracted driving occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted away from the primary task of driving. Examples of distracted driving include:

• Texting
• Talking on the phone
• Eating
• Using in-car infotainment

These activities can significantly increase the risk of an accident, as they reduce the driver’s ability to react to changing road conditions and traffic patterns.

• In 2022, around 1 in 6 Texas car crashes was caused by a distracted driver, reports TxDOT. These distracted driving crashes caused nearly 500 deaths and 3,000 serious injuries.
• According to data compiled by ZenDrive, Dallas-Fort Worth drivers are the second-worst in the country for the amount of time spent on their phone while driving.

Drunk Driving
Despite campaigns to crack down on drunk driving, DUI/DWI remains a significant problem in Texas and Dallas, causing numerous accidents and fatalities each year.

• In 2020 alone, more than 1,000 Texans were killed and 2,500 seriously injured by a driver who got behind the wheel under the influence.
• A recent study found that Dallas is one of the top-ten most dangerous cities for drunk driving.

Alcohol impairs a driver’s judgment, coordination, concentration, and vision, increasing the likelihood of an accident. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in Texas is 0.08%. Depending on the driver’s size and how quickly they drink, that threshold could be reached in as few as one or two drinks. Driving with a BAC above this limit can result in:

• Criminal charges
• Fines
• Incarceration
• License suspension or revocation

However, a driver doesn’t have to be over the legal limit to have impaired reflexes. In car accident cases involving drunk driving, it is only necessary to show that consuming alcohol contributed to the crash. This is a different standard of proof than in a criminal drunk driving case.

Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speed is the top factor in Texas roadway crashes, causing one out of every three traffic deaths statewide. In 2021, TxDOT reports that speed was the main cause of 163,756 traffic accidents, leading to 6,493 serious injuries and 1,532 fatalities.

Driving significantly over the speed limit may be considered reckless driving in Texas. Other examples of reckless driving that commonly contribute to car accidents in Dallas include:

• Running red lights or stop signs
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Drunk driving
• Street racing
• Evading the police
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Passing a stopped school bus

A driver ticketed for these and other reckless driving behaviors could face misdemeanor charges. If their reckless driving also contributes to a serious accident, they could be on the hook for a car crash claim. The police report and any tickets issued could provide valuable evidence for the car accident claims process. Crash reports and records are available from the Texas Department of Transportation.

Protecting your legal rights after a Dallas car accident is fundamental to securing a favorable outcome. Your rights could slip away if you are not proactive about collecting evidence, seeking medical treatment, and avoiding admissions of fault.

An experienced car accident lawyer in Dallas can provide guidance and support throughout the process, helping you navigate the complex legal landscape, protect your rights, and obtain compensation. By enlisting the expertise of Dallas car accident lawyers, you can focus on your recovery while knowing that your legal rights have not been compromised. You should also follow these recommendations to assist your attorney and make your case as strong as possible:

Collecting Evidence
Gathering evidence at the accident scene is crucial for building a strong case. Assuming your injuries don’t prevent you from doing so, try to do the following at the accident scene:

• Take photographs of the accident scene, including photos of the vehicles involved, vehicle damage, and things like tire mark skids that can help to show how the accident happened.
• Talk to witnesses and get their contact information or, even better, ask them for a statement, since memories can fade and details can be forgotten. Use your phone to capture audio or jot down their comments.
• Collect contact and insurance company information from the other driver(s) involved in the accident.

The more evidence you have to support your claim, the stronger your case will be when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.

If you’re not sure about what evidence to collect or how to document the accident scene, consult a Dallas car accident lawyer who can tell you what to do, what to say, and just as importantly, what not to say. Be careful when speaking to the police and other drivers. What you say can be used to devalue your claim or shift blame. You can call Jim Adler & Associates from the accident scene for immediate assistance. Keep this number in your phone so it is there when you need it: 1-800-505-1414.

Seeking Medical Treatment
It’s essential to seek medical treatment soon after a car accident to document your injuries and link them to the accident. Obtaining prompt medical treatment and following up with any recommended care demonstrates the extent of your injuries and the impact of the accident on your life.

Failing to seek medical treatment after a car accident can result in the rejection of your entire claim. Even if you think you’re okay after a crash and don’t observe any injuries, it doesn’t mean you’re not injured. Some injuries, like brain injuries and internal bleeding, can be “invisible.” Others may not be obvious right away because your body releases chemicals in stressful situations that can mask injuries.

Don’t leave anything to chance. Prioritize your health and well-being, seek appropriate medical care, and follow your healthcare provider’s advice to the letter.

Don’t Admit Fault
Avoid admitting fault or making statements that could be used against you in your car accident claim. Even if you believe you may have been partially responsible for the accident, refrain from admitting fault or apologizing, either at the scene or when talking to an insurance adjuster. These statements can be used as evidence against you. Instead, focus on collecting evidence, exchanging information with the other driver(s), and contacting the police to file an accident report. Stick to the facts and only the facts.

If you are unsure of how to proceed following a car accident or have concerns about making statements that could be used against you, consult an experienced car accident lawyer in Dallas. They can provide guidance on what to say and what not to say, protect your legal rights, and ensure that your claim is not jeopardized by any unintended admissions of fault.

Jim Adler & Associates is dedicated to making sure you are treated fairly and honestly, and that you get the compensation you deserve. We handle car accident cases—and all injury cases—on a contingency fee basis because we believe that everyone deserves access to a quality attorney.

From our offices in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, we serve Texans across the state. Every successful case begins with a call: 1-800-505-1414 or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.